Triangle Double Bucks: Where Farmers’ Markets and Food Access Meet

Food assistance programs make up the bulk of the USDA’s budget, and earlier this year, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received its largest financial reduction ever. Along with changes to eligibility, 2.7 million Americans are expected to be disqualified from benefits (Source: Civil Eats).  

But amidst shifting conditions for federal food assistance, local food networks find a way to fight hunger. 

Triangle Double Bucks is where farmers’ markets and food access meet. The Double Bucks program matches benefits like SNAP, WIC, FMNP, and others at farmers’ markets. Not only do families experiencing food insecurity have twice the purchasing power, but hundreds of local farmers receive more customers and tens of thousands of pounds of local produce increase food access every year.  

Farmer Foodshare serves as the fiscal agent for Triangle Double Bucks, supporting 7 markets in the area — Durham Farmers Market, South Durham Farmers Market, North Durham Farmers Market, Black Farmers Market, Eno River Farmers Market, Chapel Hill Farmers Market, and Carrboro Farmer’s Market.  

While our main role is ensuring smooth backend operations for the program, dispersing funds, and tracking expenses, we also get to engage with other facets of Double Bucks. We convene with fellow organizations, like Durham County Cooperative Extension, which acquiresfunding and DINE, which manages program and participation data as well as survey evaluation. This summer, our Director of Administration, Crystal Doyle, participated in the legislative tour for National Farmers’ Market Week with pitstops at Durham and Carrboro farmers’ markets.  

We’re grateful for opportunities to strengthen local initiatives that nourish the community.

You can learn more about Triangle Double Bucks here or see the program in action by visiting your local farmers’ market.